With generous support from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and in partnership with Blue Stone Strategy Partners, Tribal Nations are moving their vision forward through strategic planning that is producing real results. Tribal Nation leadership teams...
The Time to Diversify is Now
My name is Jacquelyn Robinson and I am a member of the Hopi Tribe. I am Water Clan in Hopi, so most of my teachings growing up had to do with water. My grandparents taught me the importance of saving water, blessing ourselves with water, and continually praying for...
In March, nearly 100 Tribal economic development leaders joined our session at the NCAIED Reservation Economic Summit for a 3-hour workshop on Tribal business expansion, optimization, and governance. Tribal Nations from every corner of Indian Country, ranging from...
Across Indian Country and rural America, a significant shift is underway, one that has the potential to reshape how healthcare is delivered, accessed, and sustained for decades to come. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation...
A well-designed Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is not just about data—it is about voice, values, sovereignty, and movement. When guided by Tribal leadership, a CHNA can support informed decision-making, strengthen community trust, and advance the Tribe’s...
Pay compression is a growing issue across many organizations, including Tribal governments, enterprises, and healthcare systems. It occurs when the pay differences between employees become too narrow regardless of differences in skills, tenure, or responsibilities....
For many Tribal Nations, Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) plays a critical role in ensuring access to specialty and emergent services that fall outside the scope of tribally operated health clinics. While PRC is a federally funded program, its success depends heavily on...
For many Tribal Nations, the foundational documents that govern day-to-day decision-making—bylaws—were written in an entirely different era. Some were drafted in the 1930s and 1940s during the early implementation of the Indian Reorganization Act. Others were written...
The FY26 House Appropriations Bill for Indian Housing Programs offers an unexpected but welcome development: funding levels have remained largely intact, with only a $1.3 million reduction from FY25 Given prior projections of up to a 30% cut, this signals continued,...
The Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) is one of the largest federal investment packages passed in recent years, touching nearly every sector of government, infrastructure, and public services. While the bill does not target Tribal Nations exclusively, its provisions could...
In Tribal communities across the country, strategic plans are crafted with care, grounded in cultural values, and designed to meet urgent and long-term community needs. These plans often represent a shared vision, shaped by elders, elected leaders, program staff, and...